Police believe they may have made a breakthrough in a spate of house break-ins and robberies targeting residents in Atlasville and Benoni areas after two men were arrested and found in possession of suspected housebreaking implements.

The suspects were apprehended on June 9 during a joint law enforcement operation involving the EMPD, CPF and local security companies.

According to EMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Kelebogile Thepa, authorities responded to reports of individuals allegedly involved in housebreaking activities in Atlasville and the Benoni area.

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“Information, including descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle they were travelling in, was shared with operational teams. Officers were deployed to strategic locations, and an operation was conducted on the same day,” said Thepa.

The suspect vehicle, a white Toyota Camry, was spotted travelling along Atlas Road in Boksburg. Officers stopped the vehicle and searched it.

During the search, police discovered a pair of registration number plates in the boot. A bag containing gloves, a bolt cutter, two crowbars, two pickaxes, hammers and screwdrivers was also found on the back seat and seized as evidence.

Thepa said the driver and passenger were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for being in possession of the implements.
Both men were arrested and detained at the Benoni Police Station on charges relating to the possession of suspected housebreaking implements.

Police are investigating whether the suspects may be linked to other housebreaking and robbery incidents reported in the area.
The pair are expected to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.

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